As Snigdha entered the palace gate, humming a tune and carrying the lingering sweetness of the forest's tranquil air and Rupanjan's love, she had no worries in the world. But she froze upon seeing Prafulla standing under the dark shadow of the gate like the Messenger of Death. Fire seemed to drip from Prafulla's eyes.
Snigdha said irritably, "What is it, Prafulla? Why are you standing here in my way with that look on your face? I almost tripped over! Move aside."
Prafulla didn't budge an inch. He said in a raspy voice, "Tripped? You fell into a canyon a long time ago, Snigdha! Has that Rupanjan devoured all your common sense? Do you have to rush off every afternoon like a madwoman just to romance that worthless fellow? Who is he to you? Is he your blood?"
Snigdha was about to retort, but Prafulla cut her off, screaming, "Listen, Snigdha! That devil of a boy has no work; he's just the son of a jobless farmer calling you, and you—being equally jobless—follow him like a lunatic! He is playing a game of love with you. Tell me, what will he feed you after marriage? Will he make you swallow fairy tales and sweet songs all day? Have you completely lost your mind?"
Hearing such things about her lover made Snigdha's blood boil. Gritting her teeth, she hissed, "Prafulla! Don't you dare say another bad word about Rupanjan! Or else I will forget that you are my twin brother! Yes, he is not a blood relative, but in the relationship of the heart, he is my everything! I will not tolerate his insult!"
Prafulla burst into a mocking laugh, filled only with hatred. He said, "Relationship of the heart? And you forgot the relationship of blood? Do you even know what state Prabhasha is in..."
At the mention of Prabhasha's name, Snigdha twisted her face in disgust. "Again! You took that wicked girl's name again? She is no one to me by blood; I have no sympathy for her!"
Prafulla roared, "Who says she isn't blood? Our father's blood flows in her body, Snigdha! The mother might be different, but her father and our father are the same man! She is our own sister! Yet, do you know what kind of witch you've become? Since dawn, that girl has been tossing and turning on her bed in pain, agony, and fever. She was calling out to you for a drop of water (jol), and you were busy with your love-play by the forest!"
Snigdha said disdainfully, "So what? She isn't dead!"
Prafulla's hands were trembling with rage. He said, "She isn't dead, but she lay there as if she were! Are you even human, Snigdha? She told me everything—how you kicked her like an animal yesterday! It is because of the shock of that physical pain that she has such a severe fever today. You have become a blood-sucking ogress! And what is this constant meeting with that devil Rupanjan? Are you getting intimate and having a physical relationship before marriage? Listen, Snigdha, if you bring any stain upon the royal lineage, I will kick you out of this palace! Remember that!"
Snigdha stood frozen. Prafulla's extreme insult and his filthy suspicion regarding Rupanjan burned her from within. But there was no mercy left in Prafulla's eyes. He brushed past Snigdha and marched inside, leaving behind a trail of hatred and a burning truth. That evening at Junagarh Palace raised an insurmountable wall between the two heirs of the same blood. Hearing the words 'kick you out' from Prafulla's mouth made Snigdha's temper flare to her skull. She took a step forward, looked Prafulla dead in the eye, and screamed, "What did you say, Prafulla? You will kick me out? Where did you get such audacity? Remember, I have as much right over this dynasty as you do. This palace isn't your father's sole property that you can chase me away like a dog!"
Prafulla gave a disdainful laugh and said, "It is indeed father's property! And Prabhasha has just as much right to it—the same girl you kicked yesterday. Are you showing off the pride of power, Snigdha? But can't you see that your character has sunk into a sewer? You are becoming so uncivilized and rude day by day that I am ashamed to even call you a Princess."
Trembling with rage, Snigdha said, "Who are you to talk about my character? Who I love and who I spend time with is my personal matter. Mind your own business!"
Prafulla exploded, "Personal matter? When the honor of the dynasty is dragged through the dirt because of your filthy romance, will it still be personal? Listen, Snigdha, if you don't stop going out every day and doing these disgusting things with that boy, I will write to Mother and Father today and tell them everything. I will clearly state that you are loitering around with that coward Rupanjan. I will also tell them that under no circumstances should they marry you off to that scoundrel."
Snigdha raised her hand to stop Prafulla, but he spoke even more sharply, "Stop! Don't you dare raise your hand! Have you ever thought about what that coward will feed you after marriage? One who cannot even feed himself, what will he give a Princess? Do you think after marriage he will fill your stomach only with that filthy love and sweet words? Will the household run if you just stay clingy and romantic all day? That devil doesn't even have the means to give you an expensive saree, and you are sacrificing your siblings for him?"
Snigdha screamed, "Mind your language, Prafulla! Don't say another ugly word about Rupanjan! He is no coward; he knows me better than you do. You only know how to rule."
Prafulla gave a nasty laugh. He said, "Knows you? He knows you very well indeed! I know why he 'knows' you. Who wouldn't be lured by a Princess's body and wealth? You've become so blinded by love that you've put that sewer-worm on a pedestal. Listen, Snigdha, if you don't mend your ways right now, I will tarnish your name so badly before Mother and Father that you will be afraid to even take Rupanjan's name for the rest of your life. You've become a shameless girl who leaves her sick sister to die while going out to play games with men. Shie! I am disgusted to even call you my sister!"
Prafulla's extreme humiliation made Snigdha absolutely toxic. Without giving an answer, she walked toward her room, trembling with rage. But Prafulla's sharp words rang in her ears like a resounding slap. In that dark corridor of Junagarh Palace, an invisible wall was built between the twin siblings, behind which now lay only the fire of hatred and revenge.